sources now telling nbc news that the federal prosecutors along with the fbi have launched a criminal investigation into the democratic lawmaker's finances, including possible misuse of funds monitored by congress. more on all of these stories throughout the next hour. >>> first, though, right now mitt romney is heading to a rally in lebanon, ohio. that rally set to begin in about an hour. the event taking place at a restaurant actually owned by ohio senator rob portman's family. just wrapped up in portsmouth where he talked about the presidential debate. he also hammered the obama campaign for continuing the use of "sesame street" references. >> in times like this, what is he talking about? saving big bird. when i'm president, i'm going to help save the american family and get good jobs for every american. . >> nbc's peter alexander is on the bus with the romney campaign, traveling to that 5:45 event. he is live on the phone with us. pete, this second rally of the day in ohio, i imagine we are probably going to hear a great deal of what we heard at the first, no doubt. >> craig, you'